Skybacher Ministries uses sports to reach youngsters

Geneva Alumnus, John Mohrbacher talks to campers during a weeklong soccer camp recently at Green Valley Park in New Sewickley Township. The camp is run by Skybacher Ministries, an organization that uses sports to teach about God. Mohrbacher is the founder of Skybacher Ministries. Photo by Sally Maxson/The Times

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It all started with some pies.

It was 2004, and John Mohrbacher had a dream of creating a youth ministry and using sports to reach children.

But first he needed a bit of start-up cash.

Campers participates in a soccer game recently at Green Valley Park in New Sewickley Township. The camp is run by Skybacher Ministries, an organization that uses sports to teach about God. Photo by Sally Maxson/The Times

"I asked my aunts and grandparents to make pies," the New Sewickley Township resident said. "We had a bake sale at Walmart and raised enough to buy some volleyballs."

Although Skybacher operates out of Unionville United Methodist Church in New Sewickley Township, the ministry works with small youth groups and churches around Beaver County, with students in the Freedom Area School District as its main focus. Although some are underprivileged, that is not a criteria to participate.

Mohrbacher, the ministry's founder/executive director, received permission to use a gym at Unionville United Methodist, his childhood church, and children from a nearby mobile home park began to frequent it. For the past 11 years, Skybacher has rented a room adjoining the gym from the church and its pastor, the Rev. Doug Myers Jr., which serves as an office and place for meetings.

The ministry operates primarily through four fundraisers a year, in addition to individual donations and small grants.

Mohrbacher's wife of 21 years, Kristie, is right by his side, as she has been since the start. He estimates that the ministry reaches between 250 and 400 youngsters a year through its various programs. His four children, who range in age from 9 to 15, participate, as well.

"When we started, we had absolutely no idea how long this would last, but obviously, through God's grace, there is a still a need for it ," he said. "We had a vision to use sports as an avenue to get through to kids and it's worked.

"I spoke to God when I wanted to get this going and the message I got from him was, 'If you start this, I will bring you kids.' That was enough for me; that was all I needed to know."

Tyler Mohrbacher gives camper Caedmon Hartman, 6, a high five during weeklong soccer camp recently at Green Valley Park in New Sewickley Township. The camp is run by Skybacher Ministries, an organization that uses sports to teach about God. Photo by Sally Maxson/The Times

There is a flag football tournament each November called the Cereal Bowl, where participants bring cereal for the needy as a portion of their entry fee. There also is a dodgeball tournament called Pumpkin Blast and a blacklight dodgeball event called Cosmic Clash. The popular Sunday night Pray and Play sessions combine games, devotion and fellowship.

In the fall, Skybacher offers an eight-week basketball program at Freedom Area Elementary School, where about 70 kids participate.

Mohrbacher, 42, a substitute teacher in the Freedom district, is no stranger to the ministry. He graduated from Geneva College in 1997 with a degree in Christian ministries with youth focus.

About 1 1/2 years ago, Mohrbacher decided to bring some young, enthusiastic blood into his ministry and he found the perfect person in Lindsay Shumate. A Philadelphia-area native, Shumate is now director of sports outreach at Skybacher.

Shumate, 25, is a 2014 graduate of the University of Maryland in College Park with a degree in marketing. When she was searching for a job, she found Mohrbacher on LinkedIn. She and her husband of 1 1/2 years, Ben Shumate, a software engineer, moved to Mars.

"From the first time I talked to John, I felt that this was where God wanted me," she said. "God has always played a big role in my life, and I've always had a passion for kids. I instantly felt drawn here.

"It was a big career change, but when I thought about it, I realized that it was everything I've always wanted. I get to work with kids, play sports and talk to God, all at the same time."

Mohrbacher said Shumate has been a godsend to both him and the ministry.

Zach Bundy, on left, and Maverick Conaster participate in a weeklong soccer camp recently at Green Valley Park in New Sewickley Township. The camp is run by Skybacher Ministries, an organization that uses sports to teach about God. Photo by Sally Maxson/The Times

"I'd been praying for somebody to come along, but it had to be the right person," he said. "She's really good dealing with the girls, and her youthfulness and energy is much needed. The kids really respond to her."

The Mohrbachers and Shumate play the games right alongside the kids. Mohrbacher participated in basketball, track and soccer at Freedom High and went on to a soccer career at Geneva. Shumate was involved in softball, basketball and karate in high school.

"It's a trade-off," Mohrbacher said. "I figure if I can get the kids to listen to me for 10 minutes after playing dodgeball with them for 120 minutes, I'll take the deal."

Mohrbacher said the kids come willingly to Skybacher events and often ask to become a part of the ministry after hearing about it from their friends and classmates.

"The kids know what we're about," he said. "They also know that we live our lives the right way and we expect them to do that, too. That is a huge part of the relationship, that we set the example and most just naturally start to follow it.

"But we don't push it on anyone. They have to want to be here and be willing to know God while they're having fun."

Mohrbacher said he often hearkens back to that time in 2004 when he asked relatives to bake some pies.

"They told me, 'You're crazy trying to get a youth ministry started through a bake sale, but, hey, if you think it's going to work, we'll help you out and bake a pie,'" he said with a chuckle. "Well, look at us now. Look at what those pies turned into."

By Kayleen Cubbal For The Times

Skybacher Ministries

Skybacher Ministries utilizes sports to give young people a connection to competition, teamwork, self-growth and God. For 13 years, the nonprofit has offered weekly outreach, monthly tournaments and sports camps to connect with youths from kindergarten through grade 12.

Based at Unionville United Methodist Church in New Sewickley Township, but serving young people throughout Beaver County, Skybacher was founded by John Mohrbacher, who operates the ministry with wife Kristie.